BRATISLAVA: SLOVAKIA'S CHARMING CAPITAL

This is a multi-part series about our Danube River cruise.

River Cruise Day 10

Every time I think about last night, I fall over laughing!  It was such a hoot! Local Slavic folk dancers provided our onboard entertainment, and one of them pulled Mr. Goo Shoes out of the audience to do the polka with her.  Mr. GS was a good sport, and was rewarded with a tremendous round of applause. We were laughing hysterically -- not because he wasn't good -- he was terrific! It's just that if you know Mr. GS, he's the last person who would want to get up and dance in front of a crowd. I recorded it and can't wait to send it to Junior GS! 

Today we are touring Bratislava, Slovakia. I'm not sure what to expect, although the crew says we will be pleasantly surprised. It's never been on my radar as a must-see destination, but what could be bad about a medieval Old Town which has been in existence since 900 A.D.?  The entire historic district is a pedestrian zone, another plus in my book.

I'm feeling a bit intimidated because I've read that Slovak women are among the most beautiful in the world. We've walked only two blocks, and from what I've seen so far, I believe this to be true........attractive and impeccably dressed. The fact that I am wearing sensible walking shoes doesn't do much for my self image, in comparison. Kinda reminds me of how I felt in Capri.
 
After just a short walk from the ship, the beautiful neo-renaissance building which houses the Slovak National Theater is in our sights. Oy, I feel a little dizzy - is it excitement? Nope, just this wavy sidewalk.

The first thing I see is a McDonald's on the corner, which is actually the last thing I want to see in Europe.  Oh, Bratislava, please don't disappoint me!

We head into the Old Town, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the colorful architecture. Buildings were painted in cheerful hues to add warmth to a city that was dreary under communist rule. It almost makes me forget about McDonald's; in fact, I'm now only one Big Mac away from liking this town.

How can I not warm to Bratislava's charm and obvious sense of humor, when we come upon the first of several unconventional statues, Cumil, Man At Work. I'm glad I'm not wearing a skirt! Dirty old man!

Jesting aside, these quirky statues play an important role in the city. After the fall of communism, they were commissioned to bring smiles to both locals and visitors. We're smiling, and we're taking the requisite photos!

One block later, I'm. All. In. 

Bratislava has won me over, hook, line and.........pinker!  The Pink Palace, aka Primates Palace, seals the deal. It's not quite big enough for Rapunzel to let down her hair in a dramatic fashion, but I'd be quite happy living here in this pretty-in-pink palace, thank you very much.  By the by, Napoleon's been here -- it's where he signed the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805. 

Inside, we see the famed Hall Of Mirrors, and a room of full of spectacular tapestries (sorry, no pictures allowed, says the docent). The tapestries were found in 1903 during a renovation, and it turns out, they were woven in the 1630's.  They tell the story of two lovers, a-la Romeo and Juliet, and like most Greek mythology, it has a tragic ending.

Wait.........what did the guide just say this building is with the pretty tiled turquoise roof? I think it's Old Town Hall, but if she gives us a pop quiz right now, I'll fail. I have got to be a tour guide's nightmare -- I'm barely listening to her on my headset, as I scurry around 
taking pictures.

We walk through the gateway and on the other side, find ourselves in the most charming square, just next to the yellow clock tower of Old Town Hall. 

The Roland Fountain is the square's focal point and a popular meeting place for locals. It was ordered to be constructed in 1572 by Maximillian II, the King Of Royal Hungary. Legend has it that Maximillian is the town's protector. 

The buildings, one prettier than the next, are arranged in a pastel rainbow around the square.

We meander through the side streets, and by now, I'm disappointed that we don't have more time in Bratislava. 

I'd love to sit outside at one of the many delightful cafes for cocktails and dinner as the sun goes down.........

Wander the back alleys..........

And do a little shopping........

At least we'll have a few hours of free time after the walking tour, and we'll squeeze in what we can.

Next stop on the tour is Michalska....... one of those streets my European dreams are made of. I'm envious of the people who actually live here, on this delightful plaza, above the cafes. How-oh-how did I end up in New Jersey? 

Sigh.

Our guide teases us that a Slovakian treat awaits us at the last stop (now she's got my attention).  We round the corner, and (please don't call the cliche police), just when we think Bratislava can't possibly get any better, it does. There, I said it. 

What I won't even try to say is the name of where we are now:  Hviezdoslavovo Square (pronunciation should only be tried after a series of strong cocktails). H-vovo Square, as I dub it, is a pretty, park-like pedestrian boulevard, lined with restaurants, bars, and fountains.

Our treat is a taste of Slovakia's answer to the croissant --  kifli -- sweet rolls filled with poppy or almond paste. It's lovely to nibble on them at an outdoor cafe, under the canopy of trees.

On our own now, there's time to browse in the shops, and grab some lunch outside at Roland Cafe on the main square, with a perfect view of the fountain. I order a local specialty which is basically shredded meat wrapped in a huge potato pancake........a "Bratis-latke", so to speak!  My prior research on Slovakian delicacies reveals that we must try the poppy strudel. Scrumptious! Silly me, I wish in hindsight that I'd used my noodle and ordered some strudel to go.

We spend as much time sightseeing on our own as we possibly can, without risk of missing the boat. 

I don't know it until way after vacation is over, but our friends snap this picture of Mr. GS and I while heading back to the ship. The only way it could be more perfect is if we had balloons tied to our backs. It's that kind of day.

In the end, there's only one way to sum things up:

I "lova" Bratislava!

Tonight is our last night on the Ms. Joy. We're all feeling a little sad, as it means that most of vacation is behind us. But, we've still got two more full days to enjoy on land in Budapest!

To be continued.........

This is a multi-part series about our Danube River cruise. 

Read 10 Things To Know About River Cruising here. 
 Read Our First Day In Prague here.

Read Day 2 In Prague here.
Read Day 3 In Prague here. 

Read A Day In Medieval Regensburg, Germany here.
Read Picturesque Towns Of Austria Part 1: Engelhartszell here.
Read Picturesque Towns Of Austria Part 2: Salzburg here.
Read Picturesque Towns Of Austria Part 3: Durnstein here.
Read Scenery Of The Wachau Valley here. 
Read Vienna: Exploring The Old Town here.

 Read Budapest: The Pearl of the Danube River here.

 

Resources

Roland Cafe and Restaurant

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